title: The effects of cooling systems on CO2-lased human enamel.
abstract: The thermal effects on dentin during CO2 laser irradiation on human enamel were investigated. To simulate the clinical practice, two cooling methods (air and water spray) were applied immediately after laser exposure, whereas one group without cooling was served as control. Three hundred and sixty uniform tooth blocks were obtained from freshly extracted human third molars. Temperature change measurements were made via electrical thermocouple implanted within the tooth block 2 mm away from the enamel surface. Experimental treatments consisted of lasing without cooling, lasing with 0.5-ml/sec water cooling, and lasing with 15-psi air cooling. Our results indicated that (1) both air- and water-cooling groups could reduce temperature elevation significantly; (2) the larger power energy resulted in the higher temperature elevation. In conclusion, for CO2 laser irradiation on human enamel both water- and air-cooling methods may be effective on prevention of thermal damage of pulp.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, R.O.C.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001831:Body Temperature; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000293:injuries* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000293:injuries; D003804:Dentin / Q000293:injuries / Q000528:radiation effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide